The victim was identified by police as Darrell Ross, 17, a junior who played wide receiver for the high school. His grandfather, Peter Casini, is also the mayor of South Connellsville.

"He just had a unique ability to make people smile," said football coach David McDonald. "Everything came naturally to him. From a social aspect, from a physical aspect, he was a natural. And there are a lot of kids in our building who loved him for that."

In the criminal complaint, Uniontown police said they were called to a home on Murray Avenue close to 7 p.m. and found Ross shot in the back of the head in an upstairs room.

Police said they found the suspect, Hasani Simpkins, 20, behind some hedges near the home and took him in for questioning. Simpkins allegedly confessed to firing the gun while it was pointed at Ross, according to the complaint. Police are still investigating whether the gun was fired on purpose or by accident.

Authorities also said in the complaint that the gun had been reported stolen out of Belle Vernon. Police said Simpkins was showing his friends the stolen revolver.

"He said they were passing it around. He said that's the thing to do," said Lt. Tom Kolencik.

Kolencik also said the coroner in West Virginia who ruled the cause and manner of death in Ross' case said there was evidence he was shot at point-blank range. The autopsy revealed a gun imprint, burn mark and bullet fragments on Ross' skin, Kolencik said.

At Connellsville High, administrators allowed Ross' friends to spend time together instead of sitting in class. Superintendent Dr. Dan Lujetic says many students opted not to come to school.

"There are probably a little more (absent) than usual today," Lujetic said. "It's really quiet in the hallways. The ones who did come, it's a really sad day for us."

Ross moved in with his grandfather in Fayette County after his mother died in 2011.

"He's in her arms right now," McDonald said. "That's the one thing that is a blessing and we all take comfort in."

3 A popular student at a local school -- Shot and killed!! Darrell Ross was a standout athlete for Connellsville High School -- And Tonight -- Action news reporter Ashlie Hardway tells us why his own FRIEND is facing charges! 3 3 DARRELL ROSS 3 WAS A STANDOUT ATHLETE - A JUNIOR AT CONNELLSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL. AFFECTION FOR HIM TRANSCENDED CLASSMATES AND TEACHERS ALIKE. 3 THE SOUTH CONNELLSVILLE MAYOR'S 17-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON WAS SHOT TO DEATH IN NIGHT. SUSPECT HASANI SIMPKINS - A 20 YEAR OLD FROM PASSING AROUND HIS STOLEN GUN. 3 INITIALLY - SIMPKINS SAID IT WAS 3 BUT WE'VE CORNER IN WEST PERFORMED ROSS' WAS EVIDENCE ROSS WAS SHOT FROM POINT-BLANK RANGE - IMPRINT, BURNS AND FRAGMENTS - ALL HEAD. EVEN FURTHER - 3 LOVED ONES HAD STAY AWAY FROM UNIONTOWN AND CONTINUE ON HIS PATH FOR SUCCESS. INSTEAD - SOURCES SAY ROSS WAS INSIDE THE MURRAY AVENUE HOME WHERE DRUGS WERE PRESENT. THAT NIGHT OUT - 3 COST A YOUNG MAN HIS FUTURE. 3